JAY PARIS COMMENTARY: Chargers must get physical in Pittsburgh

SAN DIEGO ---- The trap is set, and the Chargers don't care. To
them, it's time to complete some unfinished business.

The Chargers have put Sunday's victory over the Miami Dolphins
in the Chargers Park aquarium, setting their sights on different
bodies of waters: the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio.

It's on the Three Rivers banks where the big, bad and nasty
Steelers dock. Come Sunday, the defending Super Bowl champions will
welcome the Chargers, a team that was a mere speed bump on
Pittsburgh's road to the NFL's ultimate prize.

The Steelers whipped the Chargers twice last season, and the
boys in blue absorbed the welts to prove it. When tangling with the
Steelers, it's imperative to be, and get, pumped up.

The meek shall not apply. Teams relying on finesse ---- a tag
that the Chargers can't shake ---- are usually disposed of and
wiped clean by the 53-player equivalent of a Terrible Towel.

But Sunday also presents a snappy opportunity. Defeat the
Steelers, and suddenly the Chargers' label of being flour-tortilla
soft gets cooked.

"If you want to make a name for yourself, it's almost like you
go after the giant,'' outside linebacker Shawne Merriman said
Monday. "If you want to get the respect of people, you go after the
best.''

Whether Merriman (groin) and running back LaDainian Tomlinson
(ankle) can play will be determined as the week progresses. But
something already front and center is the challenge awaiting the
Chargers.

How big is that mountain of coal they need to climb? The early
betting line installed the Chargers as a 6 1/2-point underdog.

Hear their bark, and it's clear that they won't slide into the
Steel City with their collective tail between their legs. But can a
team that hasn't proven it can run the ball (ranked No. 31 in the
league) or stop the run (ranked No. 26) match muscles with the
Steelers?

"Obviously, coming out of the Baltimore game, we weren't very
good and we understand that,'' safety Eric Weddle said, referring
to the Chargers' 31-26 loss to the Ravens in Week 2. "And we took
it upon ourselves, from the coaches down to the players, that we
wanted to be more physical and play to our capabilities.''

Be careful what you wish for.

Not only will the Steelers (1-2) be rolling up their sleeves to
reveal their guns, but they'll be spitting bullets. The Bengals did
the Chargers no favors by knocking off the Steelers on Sunday.

"We know how tough a team they are and coming off a loss like
they did against Cincinnati, they are going to be revved up,'' said
Weddle, who played a key role in the Chargers' January playoff loss
in Pittsburgh when a punt ricocheted off him during a wacky third
quarter.

"Obviously, they don't want to go 1-3 and we don't want to go
2-2. So it's going to be both teams fighting and giving everything
they got to try and get this victory.''

The Chargers are fresh from their second triumph, but red flags
are still flapping.

With Tomlinson sidelined by a sprained ankle and two starting
linemen missing, the running game is the Chargers' Achilles'
heel.

With tackle Jamal Williams out for the season, the run defense
has been shot full of more holes than a "No Trespassing" sign in
the back country.

With the returning Merriman still finding his feet, the Chargers
haven't gotten to the cleats of many quarterbacks, with only three
sacks.

Sad sack San Diego? Not by a long shot, but they do have to play
better if they hope to clock Big Ben's squad.

"He is such a good player,'' Turner said of quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger, who has two Super Bowl rings. "He's capable of
standing in the pocket, and they have a very, very well-designed
pass offense so he has the ability to get the ball out from the
pocket.''

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers declared himself fit Monday.
He took some teeth-rattling shots to his ribs Sunday, but said no
X-rays were taken and none were needed.

"I'm fine,'' he said. "I'm in good shape.''

Same goes for the Chargers' passing game, rated second in the
NFL. But if they are to win in Pittsburgh during the regular season
for the first time since, well, ever, the Chargers must present a
physical presence.

"It's going to be a challenge,'' Turner said. "It would be a
challenge for anybody.''

The Chargers' task is to take a punch and deliver one back. To
return every push and shove the Steelers can distribute.

And to show the gritty Pittsburghers ---- and the rest of the
NFL ---- that San Diego's sunshine boys are more than 98-pound
weaklings.